I don’t think there are enough words in the English language to describe how much our mentor/mentee relationship has meant to me. Enrolling in the IAVM Mentor Connector program is one of the greatest decisions I have made as a young professional in IAVM. In today’s world, there are many people that will tell you what you want to hear. To me, that is not what a mentor is. A mentor will tell you the truth, even when it isn’t pretty. A mentor will push you to pursue opportunities you didn’t think you could obtain because in reality – no one really knows when they’re ready until they take that step. A mentor will share their advice, ideas, experiences, and allow their mentee to confide in them.

Our relationship has not only allowed me to grow as a professional but as a human being. It was such a wonderful experience to have had a mentor that I could share pieces of my professional and personal life with. From our love of Bob’s Burgers, to our fondness of cute little hedgehog YouTube videos, to our passion for a good reading on women in leadership, and our discussions on what is going on in our industry – I hope our mentor/mentee relationship benefitted you as much as it did me.

Mentor, you are so appreciated and so loved – our industry is extremely lucky to have someone like you. Seeing you on the Women In Leadership panel at the IAVM VenueConnect Conference was so inspiring, I had to hold myself back from whispering to everyone at my table, “that’s my mentor!” I learned so many things from you; I sincerely hope you have also learned a few things from me. Please know that just as you have always been there for me, I will always be there for you. I love listening to you, your ideas, your dreams, and your passions. I hope to continue to follow you in your footsteps and who knows, maybe one day I will be asked to speak as a panelist in the Women in Leadership panel and perhaps you will look to the person sitting next to you and say, “that’s my mentee”.

The post A Letter To My Mentor appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announced the nomination of Tammy Koolbeck, CFE, for 2^nd Vice Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors. As 2^nd Vice Chair, Koolbeck, the VenuWorks-managed Iowa State Center’s executive director of the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theater and the Scheman Building, will become a senior officer of IAVM and serve a four-year term culminating in the board chair position in 2019-2020.

In announcing the recommendation, Karen Totaro, CFE, chair of the Leadership Development/Nominating Committee and IAVM Immediate Past Chair, said, “Tammy Koolbeck brings such a unique combination of experience to the table, having worked in multiple venue types, private management, executive leadership, multiple IAVM committee chair roles and instructor experience from the Venue Management School. On top of all that, the committee believed she truly had this amazing ability to relate to our young professionals as easily as our seasoned pros. Tammy is the whole package.”

Koolbeck has worked in the venue management industry for over 20 years and most recently served as chief marketing officer/senior vice president for the VenuWorks corporate office. Before joining the VenuWorks corporate staff, Koolbeck was assistant executive director of marketing and programming for the U.S. Cellular Center Arena/Paramount Theatre and general manager of the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Koolbeck started in the public venue management field as the director of marketing for the Five Seasons Center and Paramount Theater. Her past work experience includes hotel, convention and visitor bureau and professional sports.

“It’s a very special feeling,” Koolbeck said. “IAVM is an important part of my life, both professionally and personally. This organization has helped me grow as a venue manager. It has opened doors and given me access to many brilliant, hard-working people in our industry, many of whom are friends. I am grateful and honored to have the opportunity to follow those that have preceded me and taken on this responsibility. As part of the leadership team, I will continue the work to grow member-based initiatives and explore new ways of furthering our industry. At this point, I am still doing little happy dances throughout the day.”

Koolbeck is a past president and current member of the board of directors for the Event and Arena Marketing Conference, the premier gathering for arena marketing professionals from the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 2007, she was awarded EAMC’s highest honor, the Gigi Award of Excellence. Koolbeck also received the prestigious Women of Influence Award from Venues Today in 2010. In 2014, she was honored with IAVM’s Chairman Citation. Koolbeck currently serves on the Board of Regents and is a past Graduate Institute’s Assistant Dean. She currently sits on the Convention Center committee. Koolbeck was the past chair for the 2015 and 2016 VenueConnect Planning Committees and is past Chair of the Industry Affairs Committee. On the Region level, she is a past Region 3 Director and Scholarship Chair.

“Tammy Koolbeck has proven worthy to step into the officer role as 2^nd Vice Chair through her phenomenal volunteer work for IAVM,” said Brad Mayne, CFE, IAVM president and CEO. “Tammy’s IAVM successes on multiple levels have proven her passion to delivering return on investment to the members of our Association.”

“I am very excited about Tammy being recommended for the 2^nd Vice Chair,” added Mark Mettes, CFE, IAVM board chair. “I have worked with Tammy for many years on many different committees and she has always done an outstanding job and has a strong passion for our industry and for our Association. She will make a great leader for us.”

IAVM members will vote electronically on this nomination, and, if elected, Koolbeck will take office in August during VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, August 7-10, in Nashville, Tennessee.

About IAVM

Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s 5,100 active members include managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, racetracks, and amphitheaters. IAVM’s mission is to educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals worldwide. More information about IAVM is available at www.IAVM.org or via @IAVMWHQ on Twitter.

The post Tammy Koolbeck, CFE, Announced as IAVM’S 2nd Vice Chair 2017-2018 appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

SMG announced the selection of Fredia Brady as the new general manager for the Wilmington (NC) Convention Center.

“The selection of SMG veteran Fredia Brady as general manager, along with the high quality of services clients have grown to expect from SMG, will enable the facility to continue to develop as a key contributor to the ongoing economic development of entire community and in particular the continued growth of the hospitality industry in the region,” said Bob McClintock, SMG’s senior vice president/chief operating officer for the SMG Convention Center Division. “Fredia’s experience will be invaluable as the Convention Center positions itself to support the rebranding of the River District and the opening of an adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel this year.”

Brady is a hospitality industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in convention sales and marketing, business development, facility operations and event management, including serving SMG as a regional senior director of sales & marketing for SMG’s Southeast Region from 2008 to 2014. She most recently was the senior director of sales & marketing for the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center and served that venue previously as director of sales & marketing from 1999 to 2008. She was the senior sales manager for the Hyatt Regency in Savannah from 1991- 1999.

A graduate of both Brewton Parker College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and South University with an associate degree in hospitality management, Brady is a board member of the Royce Learning Center and the Tourism Leadership Council of Savannah. She is a community adviser for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Student Leadership Program and member of the Junior League of Savannah and a variety of professional associations, including the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Professional Convention Management Association and American Society of Association Executives.

Brady will arrive in Wilmington February 6, 2017.

The post SMG Names Fredia Brady As GM Of Wilmington Convention Center appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Tulsa’s Cox Business Center and BOK Center are hosting the first IAVM Region 6 Future Industry Leaders Conference on Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31. The Monday sessions will focus on various aspects of the venue management industry while Tuesday’s all-day sessions will cover Severe Weather Preparedness Training under the leadership team that will be conducting the same session in Dallas on March 17.

The significance of these two days of industry education?

“We have lots of younger enthusiastic staff members who want to do all these great things,” said Kerry Painter, CFE, assistant general manager of the Cox Business Center, host site for the two days. “It kind of started with some of our staff wanting to get their CVP’s and CMP’s and they needed courses. We had to figure out how do we get them committee work for the points that they needed, and how do we let them all be engaged when as mid-level managers many of them are not able to get to IAVM conferences?”

The solution was to create a conference, which is under the auspices of co-chairs and venue staff members Nathaniel Porter and Allie Stites. Attendees will receive credit toward their CVP if they are IAVM members, and Day Two attendees will receive a certificate of completion from the Academy for Venue Safety & Security Weather School.

“It has turned out great,” Painter said while noting that 75 have registered for Day One and 80 for Day Two. “There will be a wide variety of subjects covered that attendees are interested in. Allie and Nathaniel designed it, things like booking conferences and making events, security and a session on what it’s like to be the general manager, and a session on what keeps you up at night.

“On the weather piece, we have always wanted our people to get to the weather conference, but we can’t send everybody. But we live in a weather strip and thought if we could bring it to them how great would that be? Clearly, there was a huge interest in it. Mark Herrera (IAVM director of education) was helpful in getting us the same people the association uses in its session so our attendees could leave knowing they gained lots of knowledge that matters. Really, we just picked up the school for the day and moved it here.”

The weather team presenting includes Janice Bunting, executive director, The National Weather Association; Jeff Crilley, Real News Public Relations; Joseph Sampson, McCathern, PLLC; and Michael Smith, certified consulting meteorologist.

Painter said that once the initial interest was generated that she called the Region 6 office and asked about making the conference official. She indicated that the region board said that Painter could pick a chair to guide all logistics for the event.

“With our particular group, they don’t really think in terms of chairs,” she said with a laugh. “They think, ‘Why do we need someone in charge?’ because they’re all millennials, right? But it has been fascinating to me to watch how their brains think differently. In the end, of course, they ended up with co-chairs and kind of worked their way back to a traditional conference but still geared to them. It was a fascinating process.”

Painter said that she would like to see this type of initiative extend beyond her region.

“It would be great if other regions do this on this level for a conference,” she said. “We’re just thrilled that it turned out so well. These folks will be making connections that will last forever.”

The post Cox Business Center Shows Initiative In Hosting Two-Day Conference appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) announced the program has now certified 1,000 arena riggers throughout North America. Since 2006, ETCP has issued a total of 2,350 certifications held by 1,978 individuals in the areas of Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician and the newly developed Portable Power Distribution Technician. ETCP has provided an easy-to-use search function for anyone to find a Certified Technicians within your area. The list is searchable by Name, Certification, City, State, or Union Affiliation at http://etcp.esta.org/cert_technicians/search.php.

“Congratulations to ETCP on certifying its 1,000th arena rigger,” said Bill Sapsis, ETCP Arena – Rigging SME chair. “My entire Arena Rigging Subject Matter Experts Team and I are thrilled that we reached such an important milestone. Not only does this mean that all of our hard work writing the exam is being put to good use, but also having that many qualified riggers in the work force means the industry is that much safer. Now we can start working on reaching the 2,000 mark.”

“One thousand ETCP Certified Arena Riggers is an amazing number, added ESTA President Jules Lauve. “However, equally as amazing but impossible to quantify is the great degree to which our industry has been made safer and more efficient. Congratulations to all certificants and everyone who participates in creating and operating the program.”

Interested in studying for one of the examinations? ETCP offers practice examinations for the Arena, Theatre and Electrical certifications and a practice exam for the Portable Power Distribution Technician certification will be offered in April 2017. Looking for other ways to study? Form a study group or attend training events. Over 2,100 technicians have joined the ETCP Study Group on Facebook which includes Certified Technicians who are more than willing to answer questions for those preparing for the exams.

The post ETCP Has Now Certified 1,000 Arena Riggers appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

By Lisa Plummer Savas

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, had yet another record-breaking year. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and venues throughout the city Jan. 5-8, the 50th annual event for the global technology industry boasted a 2.6 million net square foot show floor occupied by 3,800 exhibitors and more than 175,000 attendees, including 55,000 from 150 countries. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) owns and produces the show.

Last year, CES attracted 177,393 industry professionals representing 158 countries and 3,886 exhibitors, spanning 2,475,646 net sq. ft. of exhibit space.

As a gathering for the world’s greatest innovators, companies, technologies, products and entrepreneurs, the event welcomed the globe’s most well-known technology companies, as well as more than 600 startups showcasing the latest in virtual reality, smart home, 3-D printing, self-driving vehicles, robotics, wearables, health and fitness tech, to name just a few categories.

“From startups to established businesses, traditional tech companies, along with those in new industries like travel and sports, (all) came together and vigorously embraced technology for the 50th anniversary of CES,” said Karen Chupka, CES senior vice president and corporate business strategy, CTA.

She continued, “This year’s show was all about connectivity – both in the form of the technologies unveiled and in the valuable face-to-face business connections happening throughout the show.”

In addition to a plethora of speakers, educational sessions and networking opportunities, the event hosted several competitive contests, including the Best of CES awards, the Mobile App Showdown, and the semi-finals for Richard Branson’s Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC).

Besides welcoming government officials and political leaders from around the world, CES also drew its fair share of world-famous celebrities from Hollywood, sports, eSports and music looking to check out the hottest trends in tech.

The event’s worldwide media coverage continued to be robust, with more than 6,500 members of the media in attendance. This coverage resulted in strong social media momentum, including nearly 1.4 million mentions using #CES2017 hashtags.

“CES 2017 shifted to a new level as large and small companies from around the globe gathered to reveal solutions for many of our world’s most challenging problems,” said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

He added, “Our industry is bettering the world through connectivity and innovation, touching literally every facet of our lives. Today’s connected world was on full display this week at CES 2017 – our largest, boldest show in history.”

CES will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 9-12.

The post Records Fall At CES 2017 In Las Vegas appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Mountain Productions has appointed Simon Franklyn, entertainment industry mainstay, as their Director of West Coast Operations. With over 43 years of experience in project and production management, staging, rigging and structural design, Franklyn has experience in all aspects of the entertainment industry.

“Simon has a spectrum of experience that has made him an invaluable member of the production community and, now, an integral part of Mountain Productions’ expansion to the West Coast market and beyond,” said Mountain Productions’ CEO, Ricky Rose.

Franklyn has previously served as a Tour Production Rigger for the iconic likes of Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and The Who. He also worked as a consultant and project manager on events around the globe, including complex projects in the United States, Japan, Europe, Korea, South America and Australia.

“Having grown up alongside the development of staging and rigging technologies in both the UK and USA, I have worked with almost every type of system used in the entertainment industry,” said Franklyn. “I have been very impressed with the approach that Mountain has taken in streamlining their staging systems across the board with in-house engineering and fabrication, an in-house soft goods department, standardized pre-loaded truck packs and full training for personnel.

Mountain’s focus on safety and equipment organization makes my job a lot easier. I look forward to working with Mountain and helping them to continue to create great new products and staging and rigging innovations as they move west.”

Franklyn has been responsible for the safe installation of hundreds of unique and challenging projects, gaining expert knowledge and practical experience in a variety of fields, including hoisting, lifting, crane work, truss and scaffold structures and work for major film studios. Some of his most notable projects have included installations at Lotte World in Seoul, the 1996 Olympic Games, an 80,000 square-foot scaffolding system for Universal Studios’ Jurassic Park, and work on the main
stages at Desert Trip, Panorama and Coachella, among many other high-profile jobs.

Franklyn will help lead Mountain Productions’ expansion into the Western United States, where the organization now has the largest staging system in the industry, the MTN TRUSS HD+, along with a robust inventory of equipment and rigging services to accommodate any type of project.

The post Mountain Productions Appoints Simon Franklyn As Director Of West Coast Operations appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Dear IAVM Member,

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and it is only because of the time and knowledge our volunteers contribute that we are able to fulfill our mission. We hope, therefore, that you will consider responding to this Committee Call for Volunteers.

As a volunteer, you will be making a difference to this industry, and giving back to other members. We hope you will also get value out of your service, making connections with other IAVM leaders and learning about the issues that face us all.

Among the many volunteer opportunities is service on one of the association’s committees. IAVM has two types of committees: board committees and management committees. A board committee helps the board do its work, of oversight, strategy and member engagement. Management committees help IAVM’s management do its work, of meeting the board’s goals and effectively operating the association to the benefit of our members.

Read below to find the list of opportunities available and the volunteer roles and responsibilities for each. To volunteer, please click here, or follow the link below to complete the survey and tell us where your interest, skills, and abilities will allow you to make the greatest contribution. Even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue, you must indicate your interest on this application to be considered for renewal as all committee appointments have one-year terms and term limits. You may indicate your interest for no more than three committees, so please make sure that you rank your choices with 1 being your highest preference. Finally, given the level of interest in service, we can generally only place you on one committee with some exceptions, such as the Industry Affairs Committee which is partially filled by specified representatives (sector directors of the board, for example).

The deadline to respond to the Committee Call for Volunteers is March 3, 2017; appointments to board committees will be made by the First Vice Chair, while appointments to management committees will be made by the CEO in consultation with the committee chairs and vice chairs. Volunteers will be notified of their committee assignment by the end of May.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

IAVM welcomes your expertise and commitment to our active and talented group of volunteers.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rosanne Duke.

IAVM Committee Roles and Responsibilities

We have two categories of volunteer groups 1) board committees/task forces and 2) management committees/task forces. For a full listing and description of the committees that are available, please click here.

• Board Committees: committees that help the IAVM Board of Directors achieve its objectives and fulfill its obligations. Examples of a board committee are: Audit Committee; Governance Committee; Leadership Development Committee; Member Engagement Committee.
• Management Committees: committees that provide industry expertise and general knowledge to assist the staff in doing the work of the association, often for a specific program, conference or issue. These committees cover areas that members traditionally have contributed to in the past (for example – sector committees: Allied, Arenas, Stadiums, Performing Arts, Convention Centers).
• Task Forces: created for a defined and time limited purpose.

Individual Roles and Responsibilities:

Expectations of Volunteer Members:

• Focus on assigned purpose/charge for the group.
• Attend meetings and conference calls.
• Attend the conference, if applicable. (i.e.: GuestX, VenueConnect, etc.)
• Complete any assignments by pre-determined deadlines.
• Communicate any challenges/concerns early to the chair and/or management liaison.
• Undergo training on Coherent Governance by attending a webinar and by reading the book “Good Governance is a Choice.”
• Maintain confidentiality of discussions and background materials.

Expectations of Volunteer Chairs:

• All expectations of volunteer members PLUS:
• Partner with the management liaison to lead the group to achieve assigned purpose/charge, creating a positive volunteer experience for all.
• Communicate any challenges/concerns early to the management liaison and/or Rosanne Duke, Director of Governance/Operations.

Expectations of Management Liaisons:

• Clearly communicate purpose/charge for the group.
• In partnership with volunteer chair, develop work plan to achieve purpose/charge.
• Along with chair, create a positive volunteer experience for all.
• Complete any assignments by pre-determined deadlines.
• Take attendance and post minutes, preferably within 2 weeks of a meeting or conference call.

The post IAVM Call for Volunteers appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Venue Operations Summit (VOS) was created in 2014 for the sole purpose of addressing an acknowledged need for professional development in the areas of public assembly facility operations and engineering. From our first conference in 2015, we have been delighted with the response and support that we have received from the industry. We are looking forward to the third annual event: 

Venue Operations Summit | Nashville, TN | April 30 – May 2, 2017 

Registration for the 2017 Venue Operations Summit is now open. The premier industry conference for public assembly facility operations and engineering professionals will convene with topics including venue sound systems, maintaining concrete and structural elements, preventive maintenance software, deploying appropriate security technology, ice plant/ice floor operations and much more. Regardless of venue type attendees can be assured of a program that will provide actionable information to assist them in their facility responsibilities along with very valuable networking opportunities. Keynote speakers include, industry veterans Sporty Jeralds who will talk about dealing with change in your job, as well as former Madison Square Garden executive Alex Diaz.

Submitted by: Russ Simons, Managing Partner, Venue Operations Summit

The post Venue Operations Summit appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

VenueNet has a free app and is easy to use. Are you out of the office and need to look up a member’s contact information, review recent blog posts, access Front Row News, or your VenueNet communities? Access the member directory, recent discussions, Twitter and the Front Row News blog easily from your phone or tablet.

To download:

• Search  “Member Centric” in your app store (iTunes, Google). When you install the app and log-in as a member, it will take you to VenueNet
• For a mobile-web version, go to www.membercentric.org, and find the IAVM link in the list. You will need your VenueNet log-in information

Member Access

You’ll need a member login to access members’ only content online.  Your username is your email address.  If you need to reset your password, here’s what you do:

Step 1: Go to the IAVM Password Reset page: http://www.iavm.org/passwordreset

Step 2: Enter the email address that you use for IAVM membership (enter email only, no need to check any boxes) then click Reset My Password

Step 3: An email will be sent to you, click on the link provided in that email

Step 4: Choose your own password, click continue and you’re done! Your password is now changed.  On the next screen, you can return to the IAVM home page or update your mailing address

The post Download the VenueNet App appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

You, along with your co-workers, colleagues, and peers are invited to mix and mingle with the team at IAVM Headquarters.

Join us for a laid-back afternoon of networking, drinks, and a Tex-Mex taco bar. Meet up with venue professionals from all over the DFW metroplex, connect with local allied companies, and catch up with industry peers.

There is no cost to attend, and when you walk through the door, you will automatically be entered into a Starbucks gift card raffle. 

Would you like to sponsor this event?

Please click here to email Kelly McDowell (kelly.mcdowell@iavm.org).

The post IAVM Mix & Mingle appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Sharon Cummins announced her plans to retire as the executive director of the U.S. Cellular Center, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids Ice Arena and McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa later this year. Cummins’ decision to retire will close a remarkable career of 30 years in public assembly management.

“On July 7, 2017 I will celebrate my 30th year in the public assembly management industry,” Cummins said. “Never would I have thought 30 years ago when I answered an ad for the City of Cedar Rapids looking for an Administrative Assistant at the Five Seasons Center what an exciting career I would have in this business. I have met incredible people, had the pleasure of working with great mentors and feel that I have made a positive contribution to the varied tasks that I have undertaken. I am now ready for
the next adventure in my life. Ron and I plan to travel the country, spend time with family and friends and just see what lies ahead.”

In addition to serving as the executive director of the U.S. Cellular Center, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids Ice Arena and McGrath Amphitheatre during two time frames, Cummins also spent seven years working as the national director of planning and development at VenuWorks’ corporate office.

“Sharon Cummins has been a strong leader for our company. I am grateful for her innumerable contributions to the Cedar Rapid managed-venues and her distinguished tenure with VenuWorks,” said Steve Peters, president of VenuWorks.

Associate Executive Director Mike Silva will succeed Cummins at the helm effective July 1, 2017. “It is truly an honor to succeed Sharon as the next executive director in Cedar Rapids,” said Silva. “It has been a pleasure to work directly with Sharon. She has guided us with her leadership, integrity, and commitment to our community. I look forward to leading the team with this legacy of excellence.”

The post VenuWorks’ Cummins Retires After 30-Year Industry Career appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

World Wrestling Entertainment came to San Antonio and the Alamodome on January 29 as one of the WWE’s premier events turned 30. Nick Langella, Alamodome GM, carried the championship gold surrounded by (from left) Joe Flanagan, WWE SVP Live Events, Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, Paul Levesque, EVP Talent, Creative Writing, Live Events, and John Saboor, EVP Special Events.

The post Alamodome Welcomes 52,020 To 2017 Royal Rumble appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

When Nathaniel Porter and Allie Stites took on the roles of co-chair for a two-day Region 6 Future Industry Leaders Conference on January 30-31 in Tulsa, they had no idea whether the first-ever such event targeted toward mid-level venue managers would warrant a second look. But after the final severe weather session ended on Tuesday, they said they could see the event happening again in Tulsa, if not somewhere else.

“When we started we really didn’t know,” said Porter, senior event services manager at the SMG-managed BOK Center. “We wanted to make it successful this first year. It went well enough that we would want to think about doing it again in Tulsa or even helping somewhere else in another venue.”

Stites, senior events manager at the Cox Business Center, came away impressed enough that she strongly advocated other regions get involved in doing something similar.

“I would highly encourage other regions to do this,” she said. “With our attendance of more than 80 for each day, it showed that there really is a need for a conference for this level of manager in our industry. We tried to keep this cost-minimal while still providing a wonderful experience for everybody, but I highly recommend other regions create something like this because right now there is not a whole lot out there for mid-level managers or people right out of college or people looking to broaden their knowledge a little bit at an appropriate cost level. We would be happy to help people and be a sounding board.”

The sound from the conference in Tulsa was one of applause for an event that on the first day included several sessions covering a wide range of industry topics including sales and booking, best practices in venue management, backstage catering, security demonstration, in-house special events and professional development. The second day focused on severe weather and included numerous sessions on that topic near and dear to those in the severe weather belt.

“We were really happy with the turnout just from our region,” Porter said. “The speakers were really engaging with the audience, and we got a lot of positive feedback from all of our guests on all the people that presented on the first day and our severe weather on the second day. We had a good mix of people all the way from college students to people who have been in the industry for 20 years.”

Porter and Stites said that they worked together in their co-chair roles and utilized a committee of some 10 people who helped in the planning process as well as shaping some of the various content for sessions. Stites called being a co-chair and serving on the committee a highlight in her career.

“I learned so much through that process and would encourage other IAVM members to join those committees because it’s a learning experience,” she said. “It challenged me to think outside the box and out of my comfort zone and required me to brush up on some skills I had not used in a while.

“At the conference a takeaway I had was to remember the bigger picture that’s going on. It is easy in my position at the convention center to just get focused on my tasks and lose track of all of the other parts of the wheel that make an event happen. The bigger picture is all the departments working together.”

Porter added that having a group of leaders from different venue types on the first day was an effective learning experience for him.

“The first panel that we started off with was our GM at the BOK Center, Jeff Nickler, the assistant GM from the Cox Business Center, Kerry Painter, and Peter Lane, the CEO of the Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP,” he said. “Anytime you can learn from people who have been in the business and had success in the business is something you need to do. I got to spend some time with them that maybe I wouldn’t in another setting. Just hearing their insights from an arena, convention center and theater/amphitheater was beneficial for me.”

Attendees received points toward their Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation, and Porter said that the education was tailored perfectly toward the audience.

“Again, it was something more cost effective for more of the mid-level to low-level manager just starting out,” he said. “This gives them an opportunity to get out and learn from people and be able to go to a conference and check that box off the CVP checklist.”

Porter said that as he and Stites began reaching out to others in the industry for advice and suggestions in forming a conference, he noticed the immediate help that came. It is a favor, he said, that he would like to repay in the future.

“That’s what I love about this industry,” he said, “being able to learn from others and just call them and see what they’re doing and how can we help each other. That was one of the points of the conference, to get together with people of similar backgrounds but different types of venues just to see what works best and what maybe you can take back home.”

The post Region 6 Scores Big On Future Industry Leaders Conference appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in January 2017. Thank you for being a part of the association!

Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

The post A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

By his own admission, John Siehl, CFE, is not one to often be left speechless. In fact, he calls it a rarity. But the cat got his tongue, so to speak, when a recent call arrived from IAVM Chairman Mark Mettes, CFE, to share the good news that Siehl would be receiving the industry’s most prestigious recognition in being named recipient of the Charles A. McElravy Award, to be given during VenueConnect in Nashville, August 7-10.

“When Mark called to tell me the news, well, you don’t catch me speechless too many times but I was at that moment,” Siehl said. “As I told Mark, I have been in this industry for 53 years now, having started as an usher in 1965, and this is an incredible recognition. I am honored to join ranks with the great group of individuals who have received this award.”

Thus Siehl, vice president and chief operating officer of VenuWorks, joins the list of professionals to receive an award initiated in 1963 that is granted for extraordinary contributions to the Association and the professional venue management industry it serves.

After that humble stint as an usher to begin his career at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio, Siehl quickly moved into management and was named general manager in 1982. He joined the staff at the Ervin J. Nutter Center at Wright State University in 1990 and served there as general manager for more than 20 years. Siehl served IAVM as its president (now called chair) in 2010-11.

“It’s quite an honor and it has been an incredible life,” Siehl said. “I can’t say much more. It’s the industry that has helped me accomplish so much. I just love it and am humbled and proud to join the ranks of all the people that have been McElravy winners before me. I just really couldn’t be any happier right at the moment.”

“The passion and dedication that John Siehl has for our association and industry comes through in everything that he does,” Mettes said. “Whether it is his time as chair of IAVM, his work on the Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS) or the many other ways he has served our association, this honor is well deserved.”

Based in Dayton, Siehl serves on many local boards including Ronald McDonald House Charities, The Aullwood Audubon Center, Greene County Foundation and Special Wish. He was two-time president of the Fairborn Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. Siehl is also a volunteer in Dayton as a bereavement counselor.

Siehl said he had not thought much in advance about the award but that once he was notified it was the “capper” to his career.

“It’s something you just don’t think about,” he said. “I can’t say I had given it much thought. Other people receive the award at VenueConnect and you think, oh, that’s really nice, and, boy, they really deserve it, but you just never really put yourself in that place. It’s just an absolute incredible honor. I literally was speechless.

“But I am absolutely thrilled to be able to be honored by an association that has literally been my life and industry that has given me so much. I just hope that I have given back to them.”

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Jane Kleinberger has enjoyed the almost four decades of experience and friendships that the public assembly venue industry has given her. That illustrious career has now given her the industry’s most decorated honor for Allied Members, that of the Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award that she will receive at this year’s VenueConnect in Nashville from August 7-10.

Kleinberger, founder of Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement and accomplished veteran in the ticketing industry will become the

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latest name to be added to an illustrious group in honor of her extraordinary contributions to the Association and the professional venue management industry it serves.

“The Anzivino Award reminds me that our shared commitment to excellence is really a partnership between Allied and Professional Members,” Kleinberger said. “We rely on one another to give our best, to build lasting friendships, and to innovate together. It is always an honor to be recognized by your peers, but an award like the Joseph J. Anzivino Award reminds me of the great service that all my predecessor award recipients have contributed, and encourages me to do even more.”

Kleinberger co-founded Paciolan in 1980 and has served in multiple capacities during her tenure, including CEO and chairman of the board. Her work today focuses on both client and industry relations, and she is a key member of the senior management team focused on strategic development.

Spectra’s Ticketing & Fan Engagement division is a leader in ticketing, fundraising, marketing, and analytics solutions with over 35 years of experience. Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement enables college athletic programs, arenas, professional sports, and performing arts clients to sell more than 120 million tickets per year.

“Our Allied Members are important partners with IAVM in all that we do, something that Jane Kleinberger has always taken to heart,” said Mark Mettes, CFE, IAVM chairman. “To honor Jane with this award is a true testament to her professionalism and passion. She is a pillar in our industry.”

“When I received the call from Mark, I was excited to call him back as I thought we were going to speak about chairman-to-chairman stuff (IAVM-to-INTIX),” Kleinberger said. “When he informed me that I was receiving the award, I was absolutely surprised and very humbled. There are so many wonderful Allieds Members who contribute so much … I could not be more honored. I was even more humbled and somewhat emotional when Mark informed me that so many industry greats had taken the time to write letters of support. I can’t believe they all took the time out of their crazy busy lives to share their encouragement. Very simply, I am honored, grateful, and humbled.”

Kleinberger credits the success in her career to an attitude of wanting to give back after so many helped her grow and learn.

“Like many of us, early in my career I accidentally found myself employed by the industry, and I never looked back,” she said. “It’s a life gift that I do not take for granted. After 37 years, I can clearly say that I am blessed. I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing co-workers, clients and colleagues who not only deliver excellence in their day jobs, but who also make an impact on our industry through association service. The gift keeps giving and I’m reminded of my need to continue giving back.”

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The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2017 Performing Arts Managers Conference (PAMC). The awards recognize deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.

Rishard Allen
Student at Indiana University majoring in Arts Management

Favorite Broadway show or performance? This a tie between The Lion King and Wicked.

Favorite Sports and entertainment memory? Antonio Brown’s game winning TD catch for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Static Shock. He was young, hip, and loved music. He also could channel electricity. For some reason, the ability to control electricity has always been my ideal super power.
What is your ultimate dream job: This is always a difficult question for me because I have so many interests. Sometimes it’s being a high-level executive in the music and entertainment industry. Other times I want to be the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. And every now and then I want the stress of planning what may be the largest and most complicated event of them all: The Olympics.

What is your favorite quote? “I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value” – Hermann Hesse

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishard-allen-10499ba7

Kevin Calhoun
Operations/Arts Administration at The Cleveland Playhouse

Favorite Sports Memory? Watching the Cleveland Indians beat down the Chicago Cubs with a 3-1 lead in the world series, and then having to console all my fellow Clevelanders when the Cubs came back with a 3 game win streak to win it all.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? The Flash. My productivity would skyrocket, I would save on travel, and i’ve always enjoyed life in the fast lane.

Favorite Quote? “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” – Oscar Wilde

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevincalhounmgmt

Kaitlin Higgins
Volunteer Manager and Concert Production Coordinator at Old Town School of Folk Music

Favorite Broadway show or performance? West Side Story will always be my favorite musical but most recently I saw Hamilton and absolutely loved it.

Favorite Sports and entertainment memory? Sports: Just the fact that I lived in the city of Chicago when the Cubs won the World Series and that I was able to share those celebrations with multiple generations of my family who are lifelong fans will be something I will never forget.

Entertainment: I had always wanted to visit Seattle so I decided to take a solo vacation and booked a week long trip to attend Bumbershoot and had the best time ever exploring the city and experiencing the festival all by myself.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A woman who spent her life breaking down barriers and fighting for the rights of others is later in life is diagnosed with cancer and yet she did not miss a single day on the bench during her chemotherapy treatments. A true testament to loving what you do with a passion and pushing yourself past boundaries you never thought were possible. She is without a doubt a superhero in my mind.

What is your ultimate dream job? Manager/ Director of Events with an Arena or Performing Arts Center.

What is your favorite quote? “Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, what do I want to do everyday for the rest of my life…do that.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlinmhiggins1/

Heather Ortega
Operations Coordinator at Tobin Center

Favorite Broadway show or performance? Spamalot and Hamilton

Favorite Sports memory? When I was in college at Texas A&M, my senior year was the first year we joined the SEC. I was in the marching band and one of the drum majors. Since it was our first year in the SEC, we traveled to a lot of the away games, including the A&M vs Alabama game. The Aggies were ahead the whole game and much our surprise we won the game! I remember conducting the band as we played the War Hymn. The whole team came over in front of our section and everyone was singing and cheering like crazy. Unforgettable.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I would be Hiro Nakamura from the TV Show Heroes. He’s got that sweet teleportation and time travel power.

What is your ultimate dream job? to be a Broadway performer

What is your favorite quote? “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” – JK Rowling (Dumbledore)

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherortega

Justine Vanderveen
Peer Career Advisor at Seattle University

Favorite Broadway show or performance? If I was forced to choose…Spring Awakening or The Chorus Line, but my list goes on.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? Growing up my parents would take me out on Thursday or Friday nights to Jazz After Hours downtown. Some of my favorite memories are attached to the music I heard in those jam sessions. I was lucky enough to be encouraged by my parents to pursue the arts over everything else. These nights are some of the first memories I have of recognizing my need to be around live music whenever possible.

If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why? Wonder Woman! Her story, from the very beginning, challenges institutionalized sexism to its core. She fights evil with grace, intelligence, and has amazing hair that is never frizzy or out of place. She is an independent woman taking charge of her life.

What is your ultimate dream job? I would love to work in-house as an event services or operations manager for a performing arts center. My goal is driven by my desire to shape the venue experience into one that is most memorable for everyone, especially first time performance goers. Being in a role that allows me to find ways to open the venue’s doors to every community is close to my heart.

What is your favorite quote? “…which causes me to wonder, my own purpose on so many days as humble as the spider’s, what is beautiful that I make? What is elegant? What feeds the world?” – Louise Erdrich

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-vanderveen-24b43ab1

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In preparation for the Shenyang New World EXPO soft opening on March 1, EXPO’s senior staff completed final training at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) in December.

EXPO General Manager Diane Chen is confident that the staff is prepared to meet the demand of EXPO’s initial customers.

“EXPO’s association with HKCEC as a sister venue and our direct access with its senior management team are enormous benefits to EXPO and Shenyang,” she said. “Three prestigious exhibitions will be held in March followed by three more in April. This specific training as well as the ongoing training EXPO received through HKCEC during the last many months help to ensure a greater level of professionalism when responding to our clients.”

The opening event on March 1-3 will be the DPS Sign & Expo China-Shenyang 2017; the 19th Northeast China International Dental Equipment & Affiliated Exhibition Symposium on Oral Health 2017 will be held March 16-19 followed by the 23rd Northeast China International Building and Decoration Exhibition on March 23-25.

April will be busy beginning with the 17th China (Shenyang) Auto Fair Expo on April 1-4, followed by the 5th China (Shenyang) Wedding Industry Exhibition 2017 on April 8 and 9 and the 19th Northeast China Public Security Exposition on April 20-22.

Cliff Wallace, CFE, chairman of EXPO’s professional and private management company, Shenyang New World EXPO (Management) Ltd., remains very optimistic about the regional exhibition market of Liaoning Province and its capital city Shenyang.

“The response by the exhibition organizers and interest in booking the venue is most encouraging,” Wallace said. “EXPO’s soft opening will continue through September after which bookings are shaping up to be better than expected once EXPO’s adjacent hotel and retail and leisure elements open this autumn. We are very encouraged that this venue will be a model for China’s second tier markets.”

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Over the next three weeks, we’ll examine security in performing arts centers from three different angles: operations, planning and training. This week we’ll focus on safety procedures and practices at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas.

“Because we are such a soft target, we place a lot of day-to-day emphasis on security, says Russell Read, CFE, CMP. He’s Vice President of Operations with the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas, which includes the 2,300-seat Winspear Opera House, 600-seat Wyly Theatre, 2,000-seat amphitheater, two parking garages and a ten-acre park.

Read believes there is not much planning for security in performing arts center design today, even after 9/11 or the Paris Bataclan concert hall attack in 2015. “It’s up to the PAC operator to develop security measures,” Read explains, noting that his facility is very flexible. Security protocols are adjusted based on perceived risk, with each show carefully evaluated.

“We may change our plans if former President Bush and Laura Bush are attending the opera here,” he notes. “If we’re just doing a regular Broadway show, we may relax a little bit.

“Do I wish I was a stadium where everyone was patted down and only clear bags were allowed inside?” Read asks. “Yes, absolutely! The stadium guys have it easy.”

Weapons Rules

When the AT&T Center opened in 2009, Read recalls the state’s “open carry” laws allowed visitors to carry firearms. He remembers hosting a concert by “Weird Al” Yankovic where eight Star Wars stormtroopers showed up – toting real weapons!

While an open-carry building, Read had to tell his staff this hard truth: an active shooter scenario would be the only time he would advise them to run away from danger and not worry about their patrons.

“Law enforcement personnel in Texas, like many other states, are trained to shoot anybody with a weapon in an active shooter situation,” Read explains. “So a well-intentioned patron pulling his or her own weapon just becomes another target.”

Read’s facility, advised by legal counsel, later joined with other Texas public assembly facilities in objecting to the law; the attorney general ruled in their favor.

Assessing Risk

To help with early risk assessments for any event, Read values the insights of peers. He cites a well-known industry adage: There are only 15 people – we just keep changing jobs. “It’s more true than anybody really knows,” Read says. “If you’re running a PAC and you’re not in the network, shame on you, because we’re a family.”

Even managers at competing facilities share information about past shows and experiences. “I’m always open to anyone calling me about a show we’ve done,” declares Read. “I’ll always be there for them.”

Read says safety probably occupies 30 percent of his time, yet impacts his thought processes for everything he does, including donor relations. (Numerous private donors raised 95 percent of the facility’s $350 million cost.) He also works closely with the facility’s Director of Security.

Crowd Manager Training

Read says the NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] codifying a trained crowd manager program into its life safety rules has been a major security change he’s seen in the industry; Read’s a big supporter.

When his facility opened, all staff who touched the public were trained as crowd managers. That education program keeps evolving today, extending to other scenarios like fire, tornado or active shooter.

This training includes front-of-house briefings for every show: spending 2-5 minutes on some relevant topic, whether severe weather or what the local police are hearing.

Constant Updates

Large-scale training like CPR, is done quarterly and Read considers this part of customer service. “If one of our patrons is harmed in any way, that’s obviously terrible customer service,” he notes. Campus-wide, the staff numbers around 45 people plus 65 volunteers.

“We’re constantly updating our training, evaluating new and different threats,” explains Read. For example, this winter they incurred extra security cost for the annual holiday lights street festival. Police cars and dump trucks cordoned off any route where a vehicle could possibly harm the crowd. This was in response to the tragedy in Berlin, Germany, where a truck targeted pedestrians at a Christmas market.

“We’re doing our best to keep up with world events and the next potential threat,” Read notes. “That’s what’s changed the most for us over the last few years.

Never Relaxed

Being so attuned to safety, Read says it’s impossible for him to ever completely relax at any venue. “I cannot attend an event with my wife; I drive her absolutely insane,” he notes. “I’m always looking for the exits, assessing the security measures in place, looking at the suspicious package that’s just a leftover box of programs or looking at the man wearing the trench coat in 98-degree heat.”

He claims this happens everywhere, but especially at his own building. “My wife attends events here – but only with her friends!” Read concludes.

The post Security In PACs: Showing Strength (Part 1 of 3) appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.